Vi sarà capitato prima di partire per qualche nazione sconosciuta di informarvi sulle usanze e soprattutto sulla sicurezza del luogo. Queste sono alcune delle informazioni che può trovare un turista intenzionato a visitare il bel paese
There are many bars in Italy that cater to tourists and foreigners with “home country” themes, calling themselves such things as “American bars” or “Irish pubs”. In addition to travelers, these bars attract a large number of Italians who, among other reasons, go there specifically to meet travelers and other foreigners. And while the motivation for the vast majority of these Italians is simply to have a good time with new friends, there can be one or two petty criminals who loiter in and out of these establishments hoping to take advantage of travelers who are disoriented or drunk.
Italians, especially those in the North, are very different from the stereotype of “pulcinella, pizza and mandolino” seen in American “B” movies (and you won’t find roads full of Fiat 500’s (ma come ha detto andrea basterà aspettare qualche mese per questo). Not surprisingly, for many people this stereotype is quite offensive. The same goes when talking about the stereotype of Italians and the Mafia.
Also, the way the system works is that unless you validate the ticket by inserting it into one of the yellow boxes on the platform (it says Convalida on the box) Technically, if you don’t have a ticket you are supposed to find the conductor yourself and buy one (otherwise you have to pay another fee - approx. 20 euro), but for foreigners it’s enough to just stammer (stammer=tirar scemo) something about being late and they will almost never hassle you about this. (secondo me è più un “se siete stranieri e gli parlate in lingua random vi dirà “se vabbeh vai vai”)
Two small bombs exploded in Milan in July 2007 causing minor damage There are reports of tourists having been robbed and assaulted after accepting spiked or drugged food and drink. (questa per me è una novità lol)
Local Travel
There are frequent strikes in Italy that can result in delays and cancellations to regular public transport services.
Driving in Italy can be dangerous due to aggressive driving practices and excessive speed.
Drink and driving is a controversial issue <- LOL Driving in Italy can be dangerous due to aggressive driving practices and excessive speed. <- STRALOL The tolerated limit is 0.50g/L in blood, being above this limit is thus illegal and can entitle you an expensive fine and licence withdraw and maybe also a night in jail, but you’ll find that people of every age are not significantly worried for that and there’s nothing such designated driver or else (qualcuno di voi avrà presente la nuova pubblicita del ministero random in cui ci sono delle persone strafatte in macchina, a parte il guidatore designato che in quello spot fa la figura dello sfigato più che altro)
The payment system for most mass transit in Italy (trains, city buses, subway) is based on voluntary payment combined with sporadic enforcement. ( questa mi piace tradurla: Il sistema di pagamento per il trasporto di massa in italia è basato sul pagamento volontario, combinato con controlli sporadici) anche se Usually line enforcers aren’t very condescending, especially in northern Italy (di solito i controllori di linea non sono molto arrendevoli, specialmente nel nord italia
Autostop: Hitchhiking in Italy is related with the hippies and “on the road” kind of culture. Therefore, it is considered out-dated and useless.but hitchhiking near large cities or along busy routes is extremely frustrating. As long as you stay on the Autostrada, hitching from one “Area di Servizio” to the next, you will not have any trouble crossing the country. Off the Autostrada things are a bit more difficult: Italians are generally very friendly and open people, but they’re less likely to pick up hitchhikers than anyone else in the world. It is easier to hitchhike out of the Bronx than it is to hitchhike in Italy. Hitchhiking is not recommended for women travelling alone. Hitchhiking along expressways and highways is forbidden.
Not surprisingly, Italian is the language spoken by the vast majority of Italians
Rustichella and panzerotti are two examples of sandwiches well-liked by Italians and tourists alike.
Americans will notice that Italian pasta often has a myriad of sauces rather than simply tomato and alfredo. Pasta and olive oil are considered the characteristics of southern Italian food, while northern food focuses on rice and butter. Il lol è che al nord si mangia solo riso e burro, a panette. Al sud si va di alfredo. voi conoscevate pasta all’alfredo? si fa scaldare burro e panna, poi sopra si mette aglio e parmigiano e prezzemolo. ‘tipico
Restaurants which propose diet food, very few, usually write it clearly in menus and even outside; others usually don’t have any dietetic resources, as Italians on a diet don’t go to the restaurant. Italian restaurants are completely non-smoking or have a non-smoking area which is well separated from the smoking area; so says a law, but you will discover that Italians have a friendly approach to laws and rules…
When pets are allowed (not a frequent case), never order ordinary dishes for them; in particular, never ever order meat for your pet, this would seriously upset waiters and other customers. In case of need, you might ask if the chef can kindly propose something (he usually can). (ci mancherebbe altro direi)
Out of the restaurant, you might eventually be asked to show your bill and your documents by Guardia di Finanza agents (a police specialized in tax subjects - never in uniform); whatever they show you, immediately try to call #113 (similar to America’s 911 - English spoken) and ask for policemen in uniform to help you, it could be a trick to pickpocket you.
Pizza is a quick and convenient meal. In many large cities there are pizza shops that sell by the gram. When ordering, simply tell the attendant the type of pizza you would like (e.g. pizza margherita, pizza con patata, etc.) and how much (”Vorrei duecento grammi, per favore”).